Matchup

The Format

Technically, we’re actually already in the 4th round of 5 qualifying rounds for the CONCACAF region, but really, this is when things get serious.

Canada (102) is in a group with Mexico (24), El Salvador (94) and Honduras (95). They’ll play a home-and-home with each team, with the top-two teams advancing to the final round of qualifying.

Canada is the lowest ranked team of the four, but not by much, and have a very real chance of making it to the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.

The final round of CONCACAF qualifying consists of six teams competing for three automatic World Cup berths.

Roster

Canada is bolstered by recent addition, Junior Hoilett, who should be a threat to score. Veteran midfielder Atiba Hutchinson is also a player to keep an eye on. Three Whitecaps are on the roster, most notably Russell Teibert.

#

Position

Name

Club

Age

3

FB

Samuel Adekugbe

CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps

20

2

FB

Fraser Aird

SCO / Rangers

20

23

M

Tesho Akindele

USA / FC Dallas

23

18

GK

Milan Borjan

BUL / PFK Ludogorets Razgrad

28

6

M

Julian de Guzman

CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

34

17

FB

Marcel de Jong

USA / Sporting Kansas City

29

5

CB

David Edgar

ENG / Sheffield United

28

16

M

Kianz Froese

CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps

19

9

F

Marcus Haber

ENG / Crewe Alexandra FC

26

10

W

David Junior Hoilett

ENG / Queens Park Rangers

25

13

M

Atiba Hutchinson

TUR / Beşiktaş J.K.

32

12

CB

Dejan Jaković

JPN / Shimizu S-Pulse

30

4

CB

Manjrekar James

HUN / Diósgyöri VTK

22

8

M

Will Johnson

USA / Portland Timbers

28

21

F

Cyle Larin

USA / Orlando City S.C.

20

19

CB

Wandrille Lefèvre

CAN / Impact Montréal

26

20

CB

Karl W. Ouimette

USA / New York Red Bulls

23

14

M

Samuel Piette

ESP / Racing Ferrol

21

11

W

Tosaint Ricketts

TUR / Boluspor FC

28

22

GK

Kenny Stamatopoulos

SWE / AIK Fotbol

36

15

M

Adam Straith

NOR / Fredrikstad

25

7

M

Russell Teibert

CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps

22

1

GK

Simon Thomas

NOR / Strømmen

25

Today’s Game

Canada begins their quest to advance to the final round of qualifying against the team that ended their dream for the 2014 World Cup. Honduras thumped Canada 8-1 three years ago, in one of this country’s most embarrassing performances.

2 Hondurans in the box, seven Canadians, and yet Honduras still wins the header to score the 8th. #gutless

But this is a new team and there is reason for optimism: they can score goals. “Not since Dale Mitchell, Alex Bunbury, John Catliff and Paul Peschisolido were in the lineup together in the early-to-mid-’90s has there been this much hope for goals” Paul Dolan told the Province.

Coincidentally, that’s the last time that Canada was knocking on the door for the World Cup, at a time when CONCACAF had only one automatic berth.

Even though it’s the first game of the round, tonight’s game will be hugely important for Canada. If they are to advance, they will need to do well at home.

A large crowd should help Canada’s home field advantage, as will playing on field turf. Canada’s cold weather advantage won’t be a factor though, the roof will be closed against the wishes of the Canadian Soccer Association.

I've asked PavCo what concerns are over opening roof during storm. CSA has made it clear they want it open. I'm hearing that's not likely.